Botched Surgery on 4-year-old at Kozhikode MCH: Health Minister acknowledges surgical error

In a statement made on Monday at the Assembly, Minister George revealed that the surgical team erroneously conducted a tongue-tie procedure instead of excising the sixth finger on the child’s hand. She condemned the doctor and confirmed that immediate action was taken against the responsible doctor on the same day of the incident.

Minister George also addressed allegations from the Opposition, who have criticized the quality of care in public hospitals following this incident. She denounced what she described as a smear campaign aimed at discrediting the public healthcare system, reaffirming her commitment to maintaining high standards of medical care, reports The Hindu. 

The erroneous surgery has sparked significant concern and has led to calls for stricter oversight and better training to prevent such incidents in the future. The Health Minister assured the public that the government is taking steps to improve the oversight of medical procedures and ensure that such negligence does not occur again.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported the incident where the State Government suspended the doctor working in the post of Associate Professor for allegedly conducting surgery on a four-year-old girl's tongue instead of her finger. The little girl was taken to the operating theatre at the Government Medical College Hospital for the removal of her sixth finger. However, hours later, when she emerged from the surgery, it was discovered that the operation was performed on her tongue 'mistakenly'.

Apart from being suspended by State Health Minister Veena George, the treating doctor was also booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 336 (endangering the life or personal safety of others) and 337.